Apparatus and method of operating a retail terminal having a single-orientation base assembly and a multiple-orientation base assembly

ABSTRACT

A method of operating a retail terminal having a core module assembly, a single-orientation base assembly, and a multiple-orientation base assembly includes the step of attaching the core module assembly to the single-orientation base assembly. The method also includes the step of operating the core module assembly so as to perform retail functions for a first time period while the core module assembly is secured to the single-orientation base assembly. The method further includes the step of detaching the core module assembly from the single-orientation base assembly after the first time period operating step. The method yet further includes the step of attaching the core module assembly to the multiple-orientation after the detaching step. The method also includes the step of operating the core module assembly so as to perform retail functions for a second time period while the core module assembly is secured to the multiple-orientation base assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE

Cross reference is made to copending U.S. patent applications Ser. No.09/070,620 (NCR Docket No. 7516.1), entitled "Retail Terminal Having aTilt Mechanism Which Includes a Ratchet Member for Positioning a DisplayMonitor Relative to a Stationary Base" by David M. Wright; Ser. No.09/070,619 (NCR Docket No. 7510.2), entitled "Retail Terminal andAssociated Mounting Method" by Paul F. Nugent, Jr., Charles K. Wike,Jr., and David M. Wright; Ser. No. 09/070,618 (NCR Docket No. 7510.3),entitled "Retail Terminal Having a Base Assembly Which is Mountable onAny One of a Plurality of Mounting Plates and Associated Method" by KurtJ. Lippert, Charles K. Wike, Jr., and Jose L. Izaguirre; Ser. No.09/070,624 (NCR Docket No. 7510.4), entitled "Method of Operating aRetail Terminal Having a Core Module Assembly Which is Movable Between aNumber of Base Assemblies" by Jose L. Izaguirre, Charles K. Wike, Jr.,and Kurt J. Lippert; Ser. No. 09/070,622 (NCR Docket No. 7510.5),entitled "Apparatus and Method of Securing a Heat Dissipating Cover to aThermally Conductive Housing Associated With a Retail Terminal" by KevinL. Kamphuis; Ser. No. 09/070,621 (NCR Docket No. 7516.2), entitled"Apparatus and Method for Dissipating Heat from a Core Module Assemblyof a Retail Terminal" by Kevin L. Kamphuis; Ser. No. 09/070,623 (NCRDocket No. 7516.3), entitled "Retail Terminal Which is Configured toProtect Electrical Cables Interfaced Thereto and Associated Method" byCharles K. Wike, Jr., Kevin L. Kamphuis, Kurt J. Lippert, Paul F.Nugent, Jr., and David M. Wright; and Ser. No. 09/070,502 (NCR DocketNo. 7516.4), entitled "Retail Terminal Having a Plurality of BaseAssemblies Each of Which Includes a Separate Power Supply and AssociatedMethod" by Charles K. Wike, Jr. and Kurt J. Lippert, each of which isassigned to the same assignee as the present invention, and each ofwhich is filed concurrently herewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a retail terminal, and moreparticularly to an apparatus and method of operating a retail terminalhaving a single-orientation base assembly and a multiple-orientationbase assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the retail industry, a number of electronic retail terminals are usedthroughout a retail store. For example, the retail store may include anumber of point-of-sale (POS) terminals such as traditional assisted(i.e. clerk-operated) checkout terminals. In addition to assistedpoint-of-sale terminals, the retail store may also include a number ofunassisted point-of-sale terminals such as self-service checkoutterminals. Self-service checkout terminals are terminals which areoperated by a customer without the assistance of a retail clerk.

Moreover, in addition to point-of-sale terminals, the retail store mayalso include a number of information retail terminals such as kiosk-typedevices. Such information retail terminals are generally locatedthroughout the shopping area of the retail store and are provided toperform various information retail functions such as a productdemonstration retail function. In particular, information retailterminals may be used to display product information to retailcustomers, or may be used as an interactive retail terminal whichprovides assistance to customers in response to a customer's input via akeypad or the like.

Retail terminals which have heretofore been designed have a number ofdrawbacks associated therewith. In particular, retail terminals whichhave heretofore been designed do not possess the flexibility to performmultiple types of retail functions. For example, retail terminals whichhave heretofore been designed generally may not possess the flexibilityto perform both a product demonstration retail function and apoint-of-sale retail function. Hence, it is desirable to provide aretail information terminal which, with minor modification thereof, alsofunctions as a point-of-sale terminal during periods of peak demand.

Moreover, the housings associated with retail terminals which haveheretofore been designed are relatively large thereby disadvantageouslyrequiring relatively large amounts of usable surface area or floor spacewithin the retail store. Hence, it is desirable to provide a retailterminal which is relatively compact and has a user-operable electronicmodule which can be easily moved and mounted at various locationsthroughout the retail store.

What is needed therefore is a retail terminal which overcomes one ormore of the above-mentioned drawbacks. What is also needed is a retailinformation terminal which also functions as a point-of-sale terminalduring periods of peak demand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a method of operating a retail terminal having a core moduleassembly, a single-orientation base assembly, and a multiple-orientationbase assembly. The method includes the step of attaching the core moduleassembly to the single-orientation base assembly. The method alsoincludes the step of operating the core module assembly so as to performunassisted retail functions while the core module assembly is secured tothe single-orientation base assembly. The method further includes thestep of detaching the core module assembly from the single-orientationbase assembly after the unassisted retail function operating step. Themethod yet further includes the step of attaching the core moduleassembly to the multiple-orientation base assembly after the detachingstep. Moreover, the method includes the step of operating the coremodule assembly so as to perform assisted retail functions while thecore module assembly is secured to the multiple-orientation baseassembly.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, thereis provided a retail terminal. The terminal includes asingle-orientation base assembly having a first core module mountingstructure and a multiple-orientation base assembly having a second coremodule mounting structure. The terminal also includes a core moduleassembly which is operable to perform unassisted retail functions duringa first time period while the core module assembly is secured to thefirst core module mounting structure. The core module assembly is alsooperable to perform assisted retail functions during a second timeperiod while the core module assembly is secured to the second coremodule mounting structure.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a method of operating a retail terminal having a core moduleassembly, a single-orientation base assembly, and a multiple-orientationbase assembly. The method includes the step of attaching the core moduleassembly to the single-orientation base assembly. The method alsoincludes the step of operating the core module assembly so as to performretail functions for a first time period while the core module assemblyis secured to the single-orientation base assembly. The method furtherincludes the step of detaching the core module assembly from thesingle-orientation base assembly after the first time period operatingstep. The method yet further includes the step of attaching the coremodule assembly to the multiple-orientation after the detaching step.The method also includes the step of operating the core module assemblyso as to perform retail functions for a second time period while thecore module assembly is secured to the multiple-orientation baseassembly.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new anduseful apparatus and method of operating a retail terminal.

It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide an improvedapparatus and method of operating a retail terminal.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a retailterminal which possess the flexibility to perform multiple types ofretail functions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a retailterminal which posses the flexibility to perform both a productdemonstration retail function and a point-of-sale retail function.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a retailterminal which possess the flexibility to perform assisted andunassisted retail functions.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description and theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a consumer interactive retail terminalwhich incorporates the features of the present invention therein, notethat the retail terminal includes a pivoting base assembly and ispositioned on a tabletop;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view which shows the retail terminal ofFIG. 1 and the mounting bracket which is used to secure the retailterminal to the tabletop;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the retail terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the core module assemblyof the retail terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the core module assembly ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of the retail terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom elevational view of the main board assembly of thecore module assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the main boardassembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 7, but showingthe rear cover positioned in its non-biased position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the main board assembly of FIG. 7with the rear cover positioned in its non-biased position;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but showing the rear coverpositioned in its biased position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the main boardassembly of FIG. 7 with the rear cover removed therefrom for clarity ofdescription, note that only a portion of the top surface of themicroprocessor is shown covered with thermally conductive grease forclarity of description;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but showing the heat sink assemblysecured within the housing of the main board assembly;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the main boardassembly of FIG. 7 which shows the bolt being received through thekeying slot and into the key portion of the heat block;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom elevational view of the mainboard assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the pivoting base assembly of theretail terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the pivoting base assembly ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17, but also showing the retainer andthe ratchet member of the right mounting subassembly;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the right mountingassembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20A is view similar to FIG. 19, but showing the retainer, theratchet member, and the end cap in greater detail;

FIG. 20B is an elevational view as viewed in the direction of arrows 20Bof FIG. 20A which shows the relationship between the end cap and theratchet member of the right mounting assembly;

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 19, but showing a second embodiment ofthe right mounting subassembly;

FIG. 22A is a view similar to FIG. 21, but showing the end cap ingreater detail;

FIG. 22B is an elevational view of the end cap of the right mountingsubassembly of FIG. 22A, as viewed in the direction of the arrows 22B ofFIG. 22A;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged elevational view of the right mountingsubassembly of FIG. 21 (with the mounting bracket having been removedfor clarity of description), as viewed in the direction of the arrows 23of FIG. 22A, note that the locking member is shown in phantom lines forclarity of description;

FIG. 24 is view similar to FIG. 23, but showing the locking member inthe locked position;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view of the base mounting plate ofthe pivoting base assembly of FIG. 16 which shows the locking leverpivotally secured thereto;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the retail terminal ofFIG. 1 secured to the wall;

FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view of the retail terminal of FIG. 26which shows the relationship between the pivoting base assembly of theretail terminal and the mounting bracket which is used to secure theretail terminal to the wall;

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view showing the retail terminal ofFIG. 1 configured to include the fixed-angle base assembly in lieu ofthe pivoting base assembly;

FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28, but showing the hinge memberremoved from the housing of the fixed-angle base assembly for clarity ofdescription;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the retail terminal of FIG. 28 showingthe retail terminal configured to include both the stereo speakerassembly and the scanner device;

FIG. 31 is view similar to FIG. 30, but showing the retail terminalconfigured without the scanner device;

FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 30, but showing the retail terminalconfigured without the stereo speaker assembly;

FIG. 33 is a view similar to FIG. 30, but showing the retail terminalconfigured with neither the stereo speaker assembly nor the scannerdevice;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the retail terminal of FIG. 28 showingthe retail terminal secured to a tabletop;

FIG. 35 is a rear perspective view of the retail terminal of FIG. 34which shows the relationship between the retail terminal and themounting bracket used to secure the retail terminal to the tabletop;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the retail terminal of FIG. 28 showingthe retail terminal secured to a pole;

FIG. 37 is a rear perspective view of the retail terminal of FIG. 36which shows the relationship between the retail terminal and themounting bracket used to secure the retail terminal to the pole;

FIG. 38 is a side view showing the retail terminal of FIG. 1 configuredto include the auxiliary plate in lieu of either the fixed-angle baseassembly or the pivoting base assembly, note that the retail terminal issecured to the wall; and

FIG. 39 is a rear perspective view of the retail terminal of FIG. 38which shows the relationship between the retail terminal, the auxiliaryplate, and the mounting bracket used to secure the retail terminal tothe wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit theinvention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a consumer interactive retailterminal 10 which may be configured to perform a number of retailfunctions such as a point-of-sale retail function or a productdemonstration retail function. The retail terminal 10 may be utilized toperform either assisted or unassisted retail functions.

What is meant herein by the term "point-of-sale retail function" is afunction performed by a retail terminal when the retail terminal isbeing operated to check out items for purchase. Some examples ofpoint-of-sale retail functions include (i) entering items into a memoryof the retail terminal with a scanner device, (ii) entering items into amemory of the retail terminal with a touch screen input device, (iii)calculating cost of items entered into the retail terminal, and (iv)displaying transaction data including total cost of entered items on adisplay monitor.

Moreover, what is meant herein by the term "product demonstration retailfunction" is a function performed by a retail terminal when the retailterminal is being operated to provide retail information to a customer.Such retail information may include (i) product information such as itemdescription or price, and (ii) store layout information such as productlocation within the store. Some examples of product demonstration retailfunctions include (i) entering a retail information query into a memoryof the retail terminal with a scanner device, (ii) entering a retailinformation query into a memory of the retail terminal with a touchscreen input device, (iii) comparing data of an retail information queryto a product database, and (iv) displaying product information on adisplay monitor in response to retrieval of a retail information query.

What is meant herein by the term "assisted retail functions" are thoseretail functions performed by a retail terminal when the retail terminalis being operated by a clerk or associate which is employed by theretailer to operate the retail terminal. For example, an assisted retailfunction would be performed by the retail terminal 10 in response to astore-employed clerk scanning or otherwise entering a customer's itemsfor purchase into the retail terminal, and thereafter depressing apayment-received key on the retail terminal which indicates that thecustomer paid for such items.

Moreover, what is meant herein by the term "unassisted retail functions"are those retail functions which are performed a retail terminal by thecustomer himself or herself without the assistance of a clerk or otherpersonnel employed by the retailer. For example, an unassisted retailfunction would be performed by the retail terminal 10 in response to acustomer himself or herself scanning or otherwise entering items forpurchase into the retail terminal, and depressing a payment key on theretail terminal which indicates that the customer paid for such items(e.g. by interaction with a credit/debit card reader or a cashacceptor). Another unassisted retail function would be performed by theretail terminal 10 in response to a customer himself or herself enteringan information query into the retail terminal, such as a kiosk-typeterminal, in order to retrieve product information from the retailterminal.

The retail terminal 10 includes a core module assembly 12, a card reader14, and a stereo speaker assembly 16. The retail terminal 10 furtherincludes a multiple-orientation or pivoting base assembly 18 to whichthe core module assembly 12 is secured. What is meant herein by theterms "multiple-orientation base assembly" or "pivoting base assembly"is a base assembly which allows the core module assembly 12 to bepositioned at any one of numerous orientations or angles relative to thebase assembly 18.

The core module assembly 12 includes a display screen 20, a main boardassembly 48, and a wireless local area network (LAN) card 66. Thedisplay screen 20 and the main board assembly 48 are both secured withina housing 40, whereas the LAN card 66 extends out of the housing 40 andis enveloped by a cover 70. It should be appreciated that the cover 70is constructed of a material suitable to allow the cover 70 to functionas an antenna thereby facilitating signal transmission to and from theLAN card 66.

As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 40 includes a front enclosure 42, a rearenclosure 44, and a heat dissipating rear cover 46. The pivoting baseassembly 18 includes a tilt mechanism 56 and a stationary base 58. Thetilt mechanism 56 couples the housing 40 of the core module assembly 12to the stationary base 58. Hence, as shall be discussed below in moredetail, the tilt mechanism 56 allows the core module assembly 12 andhence the display monitor 20 to be positioned at any one of numerousorientations or angles relative to the stationary base 58. Such pivotingof the core module assembly 12 is particularly useful for facilitatinguse of the retail terminal 10 by various users (such as a checkout clerkin the case of when the retail terminal 10 is operating as an assistedretail terminal) each of which may prefer the display monitor 20 to bepositioned at a different angle relative to the stationary base 58.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the main board assembly 48 includes a maincontroller board 22 which has a number of electrical connectors 24, 26,28, 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38. As will be discussed below in more detail, anumber of peripheral devices may be electrically coupled to the maincontroller board 22 via the electrical connectors 24, 26, 28, 30, 32,34, 36, and 38 in order to allow the retail terminal 10 to perform anumber of retail functions. The main controller board 22 may beconfigured to include a point-of-sale (POS) card 410 in order toincrease the number of peripherals which may be coupled to the mainboard assembly 48. In particular, the point-of-sale card 410 includes apair of electrical connectors 412 and 414 which may be used to coupleperipherals which are commonly included in a point-of-sale system to themain controller board 22. For example, the electrical connector 412 maybe used to couple a cash drawer 508 (see FIG. 6) the main controllerboard 22, whereas the electrical connector 414 may be used to couple acustomer display monitor 510 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 6) to the maincontroller board 22. Moreover, the main board assembly 48 includes amonophonic speaker 84 which is provided to produce audible tones andsounds associated with operation of the retail terminal 10.

The retail terminal 10 also includes a power supply 50, as shown in FIG.3. The power supply 50 is electrically coupled to the main controllerboard 22 via an intermediate power cable 52 (see FIG. 6). A source powercable 54 (see FIG. 6) couples the power supply 50 to a power source suchas a standard 110 VAC outlet 512 in order to provide electrical power tothe retail terminal 10.

The power supply 50 is housed in the stationary base 58 of the pivotingbase assembly 18. In particular, the power supply 50 is secured to abottom structure 60 of the stationary base 58 and is covered by a shroud62. It should be appreciated that such a configuration enhances thecable management associated with the retail terminal 10. In particular,the stationary base 58 has a number of cable access openings 64 definedtherein (see FIG. 2). With a first end of the source power cable 54coupled to the outlet 512, a second end of the source power cable 54 maybe advanced through any one of the access openings 64 and thereafterconnected to the power supply 50. Moreover, such a configuration allowsthe intermediate power cable 52 to be advanced from the power supply tothe power connector 26 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) while being covered by theshroud 62 thereby preventing a portion of the intermediate power cable52 from dangling or otherwise hanging from the retail terminal 10. Itshould also be appreciated that such a configuration of the pivotingbase assembly 18 also allows other cables associated with the retailterminal 10, such as a LAN cable or speaker cable, to be advancedthrough the access openings 64 and thereafter connected to acorresponding electrical connector 24, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 412, 414without dangling or otherwise hanging from the retail terminal 10.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram of the coremodule assembly 12. The main controller board 22 of the core moduleassembly 12 is, in essence, a modified flat panel personal computer(PC), and includes a number of components commonly associated therewithsuch as a microprocessor 420, a number of memory modules 422, anEthernet controller 424, a number of video and audio devices 426, and ahard drive device 72. Moreover, the main controller board 22 iselectrically coupled to the card reader 14, the stereo speaker assembly16, the display screen 20, the LAN card 66, a motion detector 68, andthe monophonic speaker 84. In addition, the main controller board 22 mayalso be electrically coupled to an external display monitor 74, aprinter 76, a keyboard 78, a scanner device 80, an additional externalspeaker assembly 82 such as headphones, the cash drawer 508, and thecustomer display monitor 510.

It should be appreciated that the term "core module assembly" is usedherein to mean a computing device which includes at least the followingcomponents: (i) a display monitor, such as a touch screen LCD displaymonitor, (ii) a processing unit such as a personal computer whichprocesses retail data input thereto, and (iii) a plurality of connectorsfor electrically coupling a number of retail peripheral devices to theprocessing unit.

The card reader 14 is coupled to the main controller board 22 via a datacommunication line 86. The card reader 14 may be any known magneticstrip reader including a credit and/or debit card reader, or a smartcard reader.

The stereo speaker assembly 16 is coupled to the main controller board22 via a pair of stereo cables 88. The stereo speaker assembly 16 mayinclude any known pair of stereo loudspeakers. It should be appreciatedthat as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the retail terminal 10 may beconfigured without use of the stereo speaker assembly 16 to fit theneeds of a particular retail function. When configured in such a manner,the monophonic speaker 84, which is coupled to the main controller boardvia a speaker line 90, produces the audible sounds and tones associatedwith operation of the retail terminal 10.

The display monitor 20 is coupled to the main controller board 22 via adata communication line 92. The display monitor 20 may be any one ofnumerous known liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors. The displaymonitor 20 is provided to display various visual messages such as videoproduct demonstrations, product advertisements, employee trainingvideos, or the like. In addition, if the retail terminal 10 isconfigured so as to function as a point-of-sale (POS) terminal (asdiscussed in more detail below) the display monitor 20 may be used todisplay information associated with a checkout transaction such as itemcost, transaction total, or the like.

Moreover, the display monitor 20 may be a known touch screen monitorwhich can generate data signals when certain areas of the screen aretouched by a user. Such data signals are transmitted to the maincontroller board 22 via the data communication line 92. It should beappreciated that such a configuration enables interactive operation ofthe retail terminal 10. For example, the retail terminal 10 may beconfigured as an interactive customer assistance terminal in which auser touches a particular area of the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor 20 to enter an information request. The results of therequest may then be displayed visually and/or audibly with the displaymonitor 20 and/or the speaker assembly 16.

The LAN card 66 is provided to enable wireless communication between theretail terminal 10 and the retailer's network system such as a localarea network (LAN) 94. The LAN card 66 may be any one of numerous knownwireless network cards such as a wireless PCMCIA card. It should beappreciated that the core module assembly 12 may also be coupled to theLAN 94 via a wired connection such as a known twisted pair connection.In particular, the main controller board 22 may be directly coupled tothe LAN 94 via a wired connection such as a LAN cable 96 coupled to theLAN connector 24. It should be further appreciated that such a wiredconnection to the LAN 94 provides increased data transmission speedrelative to the wireless connection via the LAN card 66.

The motion detector 68 is coupled to the main controller board 22 via asignal line 98. The motion detector 68 is provided to detect thepresence of a user in the area proximate the retail terminal 10. Inparticular, when a user approaches the area proximate retail terminal10, the motion detector 68 generates an output signal which is sent tothe main controller board 22. The main controller board 22 may thencause a video and/or audio sequence to be executed on the displaymonitor 20 and/or the stereo speaker assembly 16, respectively, whichdraws the user's attention to the retail terminal 10. It should also beappreciated that the motion detector 68 may also be used to facilitateenergy conservation by the retail terminal 10. In particular, the retailterminal 10 may be operated such that a number of components associatedtherewith are placed in a "sleep" mode after a period of nonuse. Themotion detector 68 may be used to "wake" the retail terminal 10 when auser approaches the area proximate the retail terminal 10. The motiondetector 68 may include any one of numerous known motion detectors suchas photoelectric detectors.

The main controller board 22 is coupled to the hard drive device 72 viaa data bus 100. It should be appreciated that the retail terminal 10 maybe configured such that the data storage requirements thereof areprovided for at a remote location such as one of the network componentsassociated with the LAN 94. Such remote storage of data allows forremoval of the hard drive device 72 from the main board assembly 48thereby reducing the number of components included in the retailterminal 10. Such component reduction reduces costs associated with theretail terminal 10.

The main controller board 22 is coupled to the scanner device 80 via adata cable 102 which is coupled to the scanner connector 36. The scannerdevice 80 conventionally scans or reads an identification code such as aUniversal Product Code (UPC), industrial symbol(s), alphanumericcharacter(s), or other indicia associated with an item to be purchased.The scanner 80 includes a light source (not shown) such as a laser, arotating mirror (not shown) driven by a motor (not shown), and a mirrorarray (not shown). In operation, a laser beam reflects off the rotatingmirror and mirror array to produce a pattern of scanning light beams. Asthe identification code on an item is passed adjacent the scanner device80, the scanning light beams scatter off the code and are returned tothe scanner device 80 where they are collected and detected. Thereflected light is then analyzed electronically in order to determinewhether the reflected light contains a valid identification codepattern. If a valid code pattern is present, the identification code isthen converted into pricing information which is then used to determinethe cost of the item in a known manner.

The main controller board 22 may also be electrically coupled to theexternal display monitor 74 via a video cable 104 coupled to the videoconnector 28. The external display monitor 74 may be used to displayvideo images for purposes such as product demonstrations or trainingfilms. Use of the external display monitor 74 allows the retail terminal10 to display video images across a larger area relative to displayingsuch images with the display monitor 20 only. The external displaymonitor 74 may be any known display monitor such as a VGA or Super VGAmonitor or a known television unit.

The main controller board 22 may also be electrically coupled to theprinter 76 via a printer cable 106 coupled to the printer connector 32.The printer 76 may be used, for example, to print receipts or the likewhen the retail terminal 10 is configured as a point-of-sale terminal,or may be used to print coupons, recipes, or the like when the retailterminal 10 is configured as a retail information terminal. The printer76 may be any known printer such as a laser, dot-matrix, or thermalprinter.

The main controller board 22 may also be electrically coupled to thekeyboard 78 via a data cable 108 coupled to the keyboard connector 34.The keyboard 78 may be used, for example, to enter data into the retailterminal 10 during programming or configuration thereof. Moreover, thekeyboard 78 may be used to enter a user's response to a question that isdisplayed on the display monitor 20. The keyboard 78 may be any known PCkeyboard such as a P/S2 keyboard.

The main controller board 22 may also be electrically coupled to theexternal speaker assembly 82 via a speaker cable 110 coupled to theexternal speaker connector 38. The external speaker assembly 82 may beembodied as a pair of headphones which would allow a user to privatelylisten to audio messages such as the audio portion of an employeetraining film. Moreover, the external speaker assembly 82 mayalternatively be embodied as a pair of loudspeakers which may bepositioned at locations remote from the retail terminal 10.

The connector 30 is provided to increase the flexibility of the maincontroller board 22. In particular, the connector 30 is preferablyconfigured as a universal serial bus (USB) connector thereby allowingperipherals which support USB data transmission protocols to be coupledthereto. It should be appreciated that the main controller board 22 andthe connector 30 may also be configured to support various other typesof data communication protocols in lieu of a USB data communicationprotocol. For example, the connector 30 may be configured to supportknown serial or parallel data communication protocols.

The point-of-sale card 410 of the main controller board 22 iselectrically coupled to the cash drawer 508 via a data cable 514 coupledto the cash drawer connector 412. The cash drawer 508 may be used, forexample, to hold cash or the like when the retail terminal 10 isconfigured as a point-of-sale terminal. The cash drawer 508 may be anyknown electrically-controlled cash drawer.

The point-of-sale card 410 of the main controller board 22 may also beelectrically coupled to the customer display monitor 510 (see also FIGS.1 and 2) via a video cable 516 coupled to the customer display monitorconnector 414. The customer display monitor 510 may be used, forexample, to display retail information, such as the cost of an itembeing purchased by the customer, when the retail terminal 10 isconfigured as a point-of-sale terminal. Hence, when the retail terminal10 is being used as an assisted point-of-sale terminal, transactioninformation may be displayed for the retail clerk on the display screenassociated with the display monitor 20 of the core module assembly 12,whereas transaction information may displayed for the customer on thedisplay screen associated with the customer display monitor 510. Thecustomer display monitor 510 may be one of any known display monitorssuch as a cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitor or a liquid crystal display(LCD) monitor.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7-15, the main controller board 22 is housedin a thermally conductive housing 430. The main board assembly 48 alsoincludes a mounting plate 554. The mounting plate 554 is provided tosecure the thermally conductive housing 430 to the display monitor 20.As shown in FIG. 13, the housing 430 includes a heat transfer structure432. The heat transfer structure 432 includes a sidewall 434 and aU-shaped elongated channel 436. The sidewall 434 cooperates with anumber of sidewalls 438, 440, and 442 to define an opening 446 throughwhich a number of components contained within the housing 430, such asthe microprocessor 420, are accessible. Moreover, each of the sidewalls438, 440, and 442 has a fastening surface 450, 452, and 454,respectively, defined therein (see FIG. 4).

The rear cover 46 defines a heat dissipating member which has a heatdissipating plate 470. The heat dissipating plate 470 has an elongatedtongue 444 extending therefrom. The tongue 444 is received into theelongated channel 436 in order to provide an efficient thermal path fordissipating heat generated by the microprocessor 420 or the variousother integrated circuit devices associated with the main controllerboard 22. In particular, the rear cover 46 is positionable between anon-biased position (as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) and a biased position(as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 11). When the rear cover 46 is positionedin the biased position, the tongue 444 is urged or otherwise biasedtoward and into contact with an inner wall 448 of the elongated channel436 thereby creating an efficient thermal interface therebetween. Morespecifically, the elongated channel 436 is configured such that theinner wall 448 thereof is angled or otherwise in a non-parallelrelationship with the sidewall 434 of the housing 430 (see FIG. 15).Hence, as shown in FIG. 8, an outer wall 468 of the tongue 444 defines afirst plane P_(T), whereas the inner wall 448 of the elongated channeldefines a second plane P_(C).

When the tongue 444 of the rear cover 46 is advanced into the elongatedchannel 436, the rear cover 46 is initially positioned in its non-biasedposition in which the plane P_(T) defined by the tongue 444 issubstantially parallel to the plane P_(c) defined by the elongatedchannel 436. It should be appreciated that when the rear cover 46 ispositioned in its non-biased position, the fastening surfaces 450, 452,454 of the housing 430 are spaced apart from a number of correspondingfastening surfaces 456, 458, 460, respectively, defined in the rearcover 46 (see FIG. 10). However, when the rear cover 46 is urged orotherwise moved in the general direction of arrow 462 of FIG. 9, thetongue 444 is moved toward and urged into contact with the inner wall448 of the elongated channel 436 such that the plane P_(T) defined bythe tongue 444 is substantially non-parallel to the plane P_(C) definedby the elongated channel 436. Moreover, a number of fasteners such asbolts 464 may then be advanced through a number of apertures 290 definedin the fastening surfaces 456, 458, 460 of the rear cover 46 and anumber of threaded apertures 292 defined in the fastening surfaces 450,452, 454, respectively, of the housing 430 thereby securing thefastenings surfaces 456, 458, 460 of the rear cover 46 to the fasteningsurfaces 450, 452, 454, respectively, of the housing 430. When the rearcover 46 is moved into the biased position, a rounded terminal end 466defined in the tongue 444 is biased into contact with the inner wall 448of the elongated channel 436 (see FIG. 8). Moreover, when the rear cover46 is moved into the biased position, a proximal end 590 defined in thetongue 444 is biased into contact with an inner wall 592 of theelongated channel 436 (see FIG. 8). Therefore, when the rear cover 46 ismaintained in the biased position by use of the bolts 464, a portion ofthe rounded terminal end 466 and a portion of the outer wall 468 aremaintained in contact with the inner wall 448 of the elongated channel436, whereas a portion of the proximal end 590 is maintained in contactwith the inner wall 592 of the elongated channel 436. It should beappreciated that such a configuration creates an efficient thermal pathbetween the tongue 444 and the elongated channel 436 when the rear cover46 is maintained in the biased position.

As described above, the rear cover 46 assumes its non-biased positionunless the rear cover 46 is moved to its biased position and thereafterretained with the bolts 464. Such a configuration provides a fail safeto prevent operation of the retail terminal 10 without the rear cover 46adequately secured to the housing 430. In particular, if a technician orthe like removes the rear cover 46 from the housing 430 in order to gainaccess to the components contained within the housing 430, the rearcover 46 will not assume its biased position until the technicianreinstalls the bolts 464 thereby producing a visual indicator for thetechnician which reduces or eliminates the number of occasions in whichthe core module assembly 12 may potentially be operated without adequateheat dissipating capability.

Moreover, the heat dissipating plate 470 of the rear cover 46 is locatedover the opening 446 so as to cover the components contained within thehousing 430 when the rear cover 46 is positioned in its biased position.Moreover, the heat dissipating plate 470 has a number of vent apertures560 defined therein, whereas the sidewall 442 has a number of vent slots594 defined therein. Ambient air is able to pass through the ventapertures 560 in order to cool the components contained within thehousing 430, such as the microprocessor 420. Thereafter, heated air isexhausted out of the housing 430 via the vent slots 594.

Heat generated by the microprocessor 420 during operation of the coremodule assembly 12 is transferred to the sidewall 434 via a heatsinkassembly 472. The heatsink assembly 472 includes a heat transferstructure or block 474, a pair of thermally conductive pads 476, and aheat block clamp 478. The heat block 474 is preferably made of athermally conductive material, such as an aluminum alloy, and includes abody portion 480 and a key portion 482. As shown in FIG. 12, the keyportion 482 extends from the body portion 480 and has a fasteneraperture 484 defined therein.

The key portion 482 of the heat block 474 cooperates with the sidewall434 in order to limit relative movement therebetween. In particular, thesidewall 434 has a keying slot 486 defined therein. The key portion 482is positionable within the keying slot 486 so as to limit relativemovement between the heat block 474 and the sidewall 434. Moreover, afastener such as a bolt 488 may be advanced through the keying slot 486and thereafter threadingly engaged with the fastener aperture 484defined in the key portion 484 of the heat block 474 (see FIG. 14).Rotation of the bolt 488 in the general direction of arrow 490 of FIG.14 causes the heat block 474 to be pulled or otherwise advanced towardthe sidewall 434.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the thermally conductive pads 476 areinterposed between the heat block 474 and the sidewall 434. Moreover,each of the thermally conductive pads 476 has an adhesive disposed onone side thereof so as to facilitate securing thereof to an end portion492 of the heat block 474. Rotation of the bolt 488 in the generaldirection of arrow 490 of FIG. 14 causes the thermally conductive pads476 to be compressed between the end portion 492 of the heat block 474and the sidewall 434. In particular, the thermally conductive pads 476are made from an elastomeric material which is compressed between theend portion 492 of the heat block 474 and the sidewall 434 duringrotation of the bolt 488. One type of elastomeric, thermally conductivepad which is suitable for use as the thermally conductive pads 476 ofthe present invention is a T-pli 220-A1 Thermally Conductive InterfacePad which is commercially available from Thermagon, Incorporated ofCleveland, Ohio.

During rotation of the bolt 488, the thermally conductive pads 476 arecompressed to a predetermined limit in order to create an efficientthermal path between the heat block 474 and the sidewall 434 despite anyvariation in dimensional tolerances associated with the components ofthe main board assembly 48. In particular, during rotation of the bolt488, the heat block 474 will continue to be advanced toward the sidewall434 and until a head portion 494 of the bolt 488 contacts both the keyportion 482 and an outer surface 496 of the sidewall 434. It should beappreciated that by compressing the thermally conductive pads 476 insuch a manner, an efficient thermal path is created between the heatblock 474 and the sidewall 434 despite variation in dimensionaltolerances associated with the heat block 474 or the sidewall 434.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the clamp 478 urges the heat block 474 intocontact with the microprocessor 420. In particular, the microprocessor420 is secured within a mounting socket 502. The clamp 478 has a numberof locking slots 498 defined therein which cooperate with a number oflocking tabs 500 defined in the mounting socket 502 to urge the heatblock 474 toward the socket 502 and hence the microprocessor 420.However, in order to facilitate lateral movement of the heat block 474during rotation of the bolt 488, the microprocessor 420 has a thermallyconductive grease 504 disposed on a top surface 506 thereof (see FIG.12). The thermally conductive grease 504 allows the heat block 474 toslidably move relative to the top surface 506 of the microprocessor 420while maintaining an efficient thermal interface therebetween. One typeof thermal grease which is suitable for use as the thermal grease 504 ofthe present invention is Type 120 Thermal Joint Compound which iscommercially available from Wakefield Engineering of Wakefield, Mass.

Hence, during operation of the core module assembly 12, heat generatedby the microprocessor 420 is dissipated via a thermal path whichincludes the thermal grease 504, the heat block 474, the thermallyconductive pads 476, the sidewall 434, the elongated channel 436, thetongue 444, and the heat dissipating plate 470 of the cover 46. Such athermal path provides enhanced heat dissipating capabilities relative toheat dissipating assemblies which have heretofore been designed.

The retail terminal 10 may be configured in a number of differentconfigurations in order to perform numerous different retail functions.Performance of certain of such retail functions requires selectivetilting of the core module assembly 12. The tilt mechanism 56 enablessuch tilting of the core module assembly 12 and hence the displaymonitor 20 relative to the stationary base 58 of the base assembly 18.Hence, during operation of the retail terminal 10, the user (e.g. theretail clerk in the case of an assisted retail function) may move orotherwise alter the position of the core module assembly 12 relative tothe stationary base 58 in order to facilitate use of the terminal 10.

As shown in FIGS. 16-20B, the tilt mechanism 56 includes a pair ofconical shaped retainers 112, a pair of ratchet members 114, a pair ofmounting brackets 116, and a pair of end caps 118. As shall be discussedin more detail below, a number of ratchet teeth 120 defined in theratchet members 114 engages a number of ratchet teeth 122 defined in asupport structure 124 of the tilt mechanism 56 in order to lock orotherwise secure the core module assembly 12 into one of a number oflocations relative to the stationary base 58 of the base assembly 18.

The ratchet members 114 are interposed between the mounting brackets 116and the retainers 112. In particular, each of the ratchet members 114includes a pair of spring arms 132 having a mounting pin 134 on a firstend thereof. A second end of the spring arms 132 is secured to a baseportion 136 which has the ratchet teeth 120 defined therein. A first endof each of the mounting pins 134 is received into a respective pinaperture 138 defined in the mounting bracket 116, whereas a second endof each of the mounting pins 134 is received into a respective aperture140 defined in the retainers 112. When the mounting pins 134 are securedin such a manner, the spring arms 132 are compressed so as to cause thebase portion 136 and hence the ratchet teeth 120 to be urged through anotch 142 defined in the retainers 112 in the general direction of arrow144.

Once assembled in such a manner, a pair of fasteners such as bolts orscrews (not shown) are advanced through a pair of apertures 146 definedin the mounting brackets 116 and thereafter threading engaged with apair of apertures 148 defined in the retainer 112 so as to secure themounting brackets 116 to the retainers 112. Securing both mountingbrackets 116 to both retainers 112, respectively, with a ratchet member114 therebetween, defines a left mounting subassembly 150 and a rightmounting subassembly 152.

As shown in FIG. 17, the structural support 124 is secured to thestationary base 58 and has a central passage 158 extending therethrough.A fastener such as a bolt 154 may be advanced through the centralpassage 158 in order to secure the left mounting subassembly 150 to theright mounting subassembly 152. In particular, the bolt 154 is firstadvanced through an aperture 156 defined in the retainer 112 of the leftmounting subassembly 150, and thereafter advanced through the centralpassage 158. Once through the central passage 158, the bolt 154 isadvanced through an aperture 160 (see FIG. 20A) defined in the retainer112 of the right mounting assembly 152 and thereafter a number ofwashers 162. A nut 164 threadingly engages the bolt 154. It should beappreciated that as the nut 164 is tightened, the left mountingsubassembly 150 is urged in the general direction of arrow 166 of FIG.17, whereas the right mounting subassembly 152 is urged in the generaldirection of arrow 168 of FIG. 17.

Movement of the mounting subassemblies 150, 152 in the manner describedabove causes the respective retainers 112 thereof to be positioned so asto facilitate movement of the mounting subassemblies 150, 152 relativeto the support structure 124. More specifically, each of the retainers112 of the tilt mechanism 56 define a pivot structure 386. The retainer112 of the left subassembly 150 has an outer bearing surface 170 definedtherein, whereas the retainer 112 of the right subassembly 152 has anouter bearing surface 172 defined therein. The pivot structures 386cooperate with a respective pivot structure 390 defined in the supportstructure 124. In particular, the support structure 124 has a pair ofreceptacles 392 defined therein. The receptacles 392 have a pair ofinner bearing surfaces 174, 176, respectively, defined therein, as shownin FIG. 17. The outer bearing surfaces 170, 172 defined in the retainers112 bear upon the inner bearing surfaces 174, 176, respectively, definedin the support structure 124 to facilitate movement of the retainers 112and hence the mounting subassemblies 150, 152 relative to the supportstructure 124 and hence the stationary base 58. It should be appreciatedthat the nut 164 may be tightened a predetermined amount so as to createa predetermined amount of friction between the bearing surfaces 170, 172of the retainers 112 and the bearing surfaces 174, 176, respectively, ofthe support structure 124.

Once the mounting subassemblies 150, 152 are secured to the supportstructure 124 in the manner previously described, the core moduleassembly 12 may be secured to the base assembly 18 by use of themounting brackets 116. In particular, the rear enclosure 44 of the coremodule assembly 12 has a pair of threaded apertures 126 (see FIG. 4)defined therein, whereas the rear cover 46 has a pair of apertures 248defined therein which align with a pair of apertures 250 defined in thefastening surface 450 of the thermally conductive housing 430 (see FIG.4) when the rear cover 46 is attached thereto. Each of the mountingbrackets 116 has a pair of flanges 128, 256 defined therein. The flange256 includes a relatively flat portion 258 and a hook portion 260. Anelongated slot 130 is defined in each of the flanges 128, whereas anaperture 262 is defined in the flat portion 258 of each of the flanges256. In order to secure the core module assembly 12 to the brackets 116,the core module assembly 12 is positioned relative to the brackets 116such that a lip portion 252 of the sidewall 438 rests on the hookportions 260 of the flanges 256 defined in the brackets 116. Thereafter,a first pair of fasteners such as bolts (not shown) are advanced throughthe elongated slots 130 and thereafter threadingly engaged with thethreaded apertures 126. Moreover, a second pair of fasteners such asbolts (not shown) are then advanced through the apertures 262 andthereafter threadingly engaged with the apertures 248, 250 defined inthe rear cover 46 and the fastening surface 450, respectively, in orderto secure the core module assembly 12 to the mounting brackets 116 andhence the base assembly 18. Hence, as described above, it should beappreciated that the mounting brackets 116 collectively define amounting structure for mounting the core module assembly 12 to thepivoting base assembly 18.

The core module assembly 12 may be positioned and retained in any one ofa number of positions by use of the ratchet members 114. In particular,as discussed above, the nut 164 may be tightened a predetermined amountin order to create a predetermined amount of friction between thebearing surfaces 170, 172 of the retainers 112 and the bearing surfaces174, 176, respectively, of the support structure 124. However, theweight of the core module assembly 12 is greater in magnitude than thefriction created by the interaction between the bearing surfaces 170,172 and 174, 176, respectively, thereby causing the core module assembly12 to pivot or otherwise move relative to the support structure 124.However, the compression of the spring arms 132 of the ratchet members114 during assembly the mounting subassemblies 150, 152 causes the baseportion 136 and hence the ratchet teeth 120 to be urged in the generaldirection of arrow 144 of FIG. 19. When urged in such a manner, theratchet teeth 120 engage the ratchet teeth 122 defined in the supportstructure 124.

It should be appreciated that the retaining force generated by (1) theforce created by the compressed spring arms 132 of the ratchet members114, and (2) the force associated with the friction created by theinteraction between the bearing surfaces 170, 172 and 174, 176,respectively, is greater in magnitude than the weight of the core moduleassembly 12 thereby preventing the core module assembly 12 from pivotingor otherwise moving relative to the support structure 124 and hence thebase assembly 18. However, if a user or the like desires to repositionthe core module assembly 12, the user may push, pull, or otherwise urgethe core module assembly 12 in the general direction of either arrow 180or arrow 182 of FIG. 1. The force created by the user when urging thecore module assembly 12 in such a manner is greater in magnitude thanthe retaining force created by the compressed spring arms 132 and thefriction between the bearing surfaces 170, 172 and 174, 176,respectively, thereby urging the base portion 136 and hence the ratchetteeth 120 in the general direction of arrow 184 of FIG. 19. When thebase portion 136 is urged in such a manner, the ratchet teeth 120 aredisengaged from the ratchet teeth 122 thereby allowing the retainers 112and hence the core module assembly 12 to be pivoted or otherwise movedrelative to the base assembly 18. Once the user is no longer urging thecore module assembly 12, the ratchet teeth 120 reengage the ratchetteeth 122 thereby locking the core module assembly 12 in its currentposition.

As shown in FIGS. 19-20A, each of the retainers 112 has a pair oflocking tabs 188 defined therein, whereas each of the end caps 118 has apair of elongated slots 190 defined therein. A barb 192 defined in eachof the locking tabs 188 is received into the elongated slots 190. Itshould be appreciated that the locking tabs 188 are spring biasedradially outward from the center of the retainers 112 thereby biasingthe barbs 192 radially outwardly so as to movably secure the barbs 192within the elongated slots 190. Hence, the end caps 118 are movablysecured to the retainers 112. In particular, the end caps 118 may berotated in the general direction of arrows 194 and 196 of FIG. 19 acrossa path of travel defined by the elongated slots 190. In particular, theend cap 118 of the right mounting subassembly 152 may be rotated in thegeneral direction of arrow 194 of FIG. 19 to a point in which an edge198 of the locking tab 188 contacts a sidewall 200 of the elongated slot190. Conversely, the end cap 118 of the right mounting subassembly 152may be rotated in the general direction of arrow 196 of FIG. 19 to apoint in which an edge 202 of the locking tab 188 contacts a sidewall204 of the elongated slot 190. It should be appreciated that the end cap118 of the left mounting subassembly 150 may be rotated in a similarmanner.

Such rotation of the end caps 118 selectively locks (or unlocks) thecore module assembly 12 at a desired angle relative to the base assembly18. In particular, the tilt mechanism 56 further includes a positionlocking mechanism 380 which is provided to selectively lock (or unlock)the core module assembly 12 and hence the display monitor 20 at adesired angle relative to the stationary base 58 of the base assembly18. The position locking mechanism 380 includes a retaining structure382 defined in each of the end caps 118. As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B,the retaining structure 382 includes an outer guide member 206 and aninner guide member 208. Moreover, each of the ratchet members 114 has alocking pin 186 defined therein. Rotation of the end caps 118selectively moves the retaining structure 382 between a lock positionand a release position. In particular, rotation of the end cap 118 inthe general direction of arrow 210 of FIG. 20B (i.e. in the generaldirection of arrow 194 of FIG. 19), places the retaining structure 382in the lock position in which the locking pin 186 is retained orotherwise captured in a locking slot 384 defined by the outer guidemember 206 and the inner guide member 208 (as shown in a solid line inFIG. 20B). It should be appreciated that when the locking pin 186 isretained in such a manner, the ratchet teeth 120 are firmly engaged withthe ratchet teeth 122 thereby preventing movement of the mountingbrackets 116 and hence the core module assembly 12 relative to thestationary base 58 of the base assembly 18. Conversely, rotation of theend cap 118 in the general direction of arrow 212 of FIG. 20B (i.e. inthe general direction of arrow 196 of FIG. 19), places the retainingstructure 382 in the release position in which the locking pin 186 iscamed or otherwise urged radially inwardly toward the center of the endcaps 118 thereby spacing the locking pin 186 apart from the locking slot384 (as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 20B). It should be appreciatedthat such inward urging of the locking pin 186 causes the base portion136 of the ratchet members 114 to likewise be urged inwardly toward thecenter of the end caps 118 thereby causing the ratchet teeth 120 to bedisengaged from or otherwise spaced apart from the ratchet teeth 122.Disengagement of the ratchet teeth 120 from the ratchet teeth 122facilitates movement of the mounting brackets 116 and hence the coremodule assembly 12 relative to the stationary base 58 of the baseassembly 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-24, there is shown a right mountingsubassembly 518 which is a second embodiment of the mountingsubassemblies of the present invention. The right mounting subassembly518 is somewhat similar to right mounting subassembly 152. Thus, thesame reference numerals are used in FIGS. 21-24 to designate commoncomponents which were previously discussed in regard to FIGS. 1-20B. Inaddition, although only the right mounting subassembly 518 is shown inFIGS. 21-24 and herein described, it should be appreciated that asimilar mounting subassembly is also used on the left side of thepivoting base assembly 18.

In lieu of the ratchet member 114 and the end cap 118, the rightmounting subassembly 518 includes a ratchet member 520 and an end cap522. Moreover, the right mounting subassembly 518 includes a lockingmember 524. The ratchet members 520 are essentially the same as theratchet members 114, except that the ratchet members 520 do not have thelocking pin 186 defined therein. Moreover, the end caps 522 areessentially the same as the end caps 118, except that the end caps 522have a locking hub 526 (see FIGS. 22A and 22B) defined therein in lieuof having the outer guide member 206 and the inner guide member 208 ofthe retaining structure 382 defined therein. As shown in FIGS. 21 and22A, the locking member 524 is positioned such that an outer surface 536thereof contacts the an inner surface 538 of each of the spring arms 132of the ratchet member 520.

As with the right mounting subassembly 152, the core module assembly 12may be positioned and retained in any one of a number of positions byuse of the ratchet members 520. In particular, as discussed above, thenut 164 may be tightened a predetermined amount so as to create apredetermined amount of friction between the bearing surfaces 170, 172of the retainers 112 and the bearing surfaces 174, 176, respectively, ofthe support structure 124. However, the weight of the core moduleassembly 12 is greater in magnitude than the friction created by theinteraction between the bearing surfaces 170, 172 and 174, 176,respectively, thereby causing the core module assembly 12 to pivot orotherwise move relative to the support structure 124. However,compression of the spring arms 132 of the ratchet members 520 duringassembly the mounting subassembly 518 causes the base portion 136 andhence the ratchet teeth 120 of the ratchet member 520 to be urged in thegeneral direction of arrow 528 of FIG. 21. When urged in such a manner,the ratchet teeth 120 engage the ratchet teeth 122 defined in thesupport structure 124.

It should be appreciated that the retaining force generated by (1) theforce created by the compressed spring arms 132 of the ratchet members520, and (2) the force associated with the friction created by theinteraction between the bearing surfaces 170, 172 and 174, 176,respectively, is greater in magnitude than the weight of the core moduleassembly 12 thereby preventing the core module assembly 12 from pivotingor otherwise moving relative to the support structure 124 and hence thestationary base 58 of the base assembly 18. However, if a user or thelike desires to reposition the core module assembly 12, the user maypush, pull, or otherwise urge the core module assembly 12 in the generaldirection of either arrow 180 or arrow 182 of FIG. 1. The force createdby the user when urging the core module assembly 12 in such a manner isgreater in magnitude than the retaining force created by the compressedspring arms 132 and the friction between the bearing surfaces 170, 172and 174, 176, respectively, thereby urging the base portion 136 andhence the ratchet teeth 120 in the general direction of arrow 530 ofFIG. 21. When the base portion 136 is urged in such a manner, theratchet teeth 120 are disengaged from the ratchet teeth 122 therebyallowing the retainers 112 and hence the core module assembly 12 to bepivoted or otherwise moved relative to the stationary base 58 of thebase assembly 18. Once the user is no longer urging the core moduleassembly 12, the ratchet teeth 120 reengage the ratchet teeth 122thereby locking the core module assembly 12 in its current position.

As with the end caps 118, the end caps 522 have a pair of elongatedslots 190 defined therein. The barb 192 defined in each of the lockingtabs 188 of the retainers 112 is received into the elongated slots 190.It should be appreciated that the locking tabs 188 are spring biasedradially outward from the center of the retainers 112 thereby biasingthe barbs 192 radially outwardly so as to movably secure the barbs 192within the elongated slots 190 of the end caps 522. Hence, the end caps522 are movably secured to the retainers 112. In particular, the endcaps 522 may be rotated in the general direction of arrows 532 and 534of FIG. 21 across a path of travel defined by the elongated slots 190.In particular, the end cap 522 of the right mounting subassembly 518 maybe rotated in the general direction of arrow 532 of FIG. 21 to a pointin which an edge 198 of the locking tab 188 contacts a sidewall 200 ofthe elongated slot 190. Conversely, the end cap 522 of the rightmounting subassembly 518 may be rotated in the general direction ofarrow 534 of FIG. 21 to a point in which an edge 202 of the locking tab188 contacts a sidewall 204 of the elongated slot 190. It should beappreciated that the end cap of the left mounting subassembly (notshown) may be rotated in a similar manner.

Such rotation of the end caps 522 selectively locks (or unlocks) thecore module assembly 12 at a desired angle relative to the base assembly18. In particular, the locking hub 526 cooperates with the lockingmember 524 to selectively lock (or unlock) the core module assembly 12and hence the display monitor 20 at a desired angle relative to thestationary base 58 of the base assembly 18. In particular, the lockinghub 526 has a number of protrusions 540 defined therein (see FIG. 22B).The locking member 524 has a protrusion 542 defined therein (see FIG.21). Rotation of the end caps 522 selectively moves the locking member524 between a lock position and a release position. In particular,rotation of the end cap 522 in the general direction of arrow 544 ofFIGS. 23 and 24 (i.e. in the general direction of arrow 532 of FIG. 21)or arrow 546 of FIGS. 23 and 24 (i.e. in the general direction of arrow534 of FIG. 21), selectively places the locking member 524 in the lockposition in which the protrusion 542 is retained or otherwise capturedbetween the protrusions 540 of the locking hub 526 (as shown in FIG.24). It should be appreciated that when the protrusion 542 is retainedin such a manner, the locking member 524 is biased or otherwise urged inthe general direction of arrow 548 of FIGS. 23 and 24 thereby causing apair of contact members 550 defined therein to contact the base portion136 of the ratchet member 520. Such contact of the base portion 136causes the ratchet teeth 120 to be firmly engaged with the ratchet teeth122 of the support structure 124 thereby preventing movement of themounting brackets 116 and hence the core module assembly 12 relative tothe stationary base 58 of the base assembly 18. Conversely, rotation ofthe end cap 522 in the general direction of either arrow 544 or arrow546 of FIGS. 23 and 24, selectively places the locking member 524 in therelease position in which the protrusion 542 is spaced apart orotherwise released from the area between the protrusions 540 of thelocking hub 526 (as shown in FIG. 23). It should be appreciated thatwhen the protrusion 542 is released in such a manner, the locking member524 is free to move in the general direction of arrow 552 of FIGS. 23and 24 thereby allowing the ratchet teeth 120 to be disengaged from orotherwise spaced apart from the ratchet teeth 122. Disengagement of theratchet teeth 120 from the ratchet teeth 122 facilitates movement of themounting brackets 116 and hence the core module assembly 12 relative tothe stationary base 58 of the base assembly 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2 and 25-39, there is shown variousconfigurations of the retail terminal 10. The pivoting base assembly 18may be used to pivotally secure the core module assembly 12 to either asubstantially horizontal mounting surface such as a tabletop 214 (seeFIG. 1) or a substantially vertical mounting surface such as a wall 216(see FIG. 26). In particular, the retail terminal 10 may be secured tothe tabletop 214 with a mounting plate 218. The mounting plate 218 has anumber of mounting tabs 220, whereas a base mounting structure or plate222 of the base assembly 18 has a number of mounting slots 224 definedtherein. Moreover, the mounting plate 218 further has a number offastening apertures 226 defined therein. The fastening apertures 226 areprovided to facilitate securing the mounting plate 218 to the tabletop214. In particular, a fastener such as a bolt or screw 408 is advancedthrough each of the fastening apertures 226 and thereafter threadinglyengaged in a corresponding fastening aperture 402 defined in thetabletop 214 so as to secure the mounting plate 218 to the tabletop 214.

Thereafter, the mounting tabs 220 cooperate with the mounting slots 224in order to secure the base plate 222 of the base assembly 18 to themounting plate 218. In particular, the base assembly 18 (with the coremodule assembly 12 secured thereto) is advanced in the general directionof arrow 228 of FIG. 2 toward the mounting plate 218 (which is bolted tothe tabletop 214) such that the mounting tabs 220 are aligned with themounting slots 224. Thereafter, the base assembly 18 is further advancedin the general direction of arrow 228 such that the mounting tabs 220are received into the mounting slots 224. Once the mounting tabs 220 arereceived into the mounting slots 224, the base assembly 18 is urged orotherwise slid in the general direction of arrow 230 such that themounting tabs 220 are advanced into a locking portion 232 of themounting slots 224 so as to lock the mounting tabs 220 therein.

The mounting plate 218 further has a locking flange 244 defined 1stherein (see FIG. 27). Moreover, the base assembly 18 has a springbiased locking lever 370 pivotally secured to the base plate 222 (seeFIG. 25). The locking lever 370 prevents the base assembly 18 frominadvertently moving relative to the mounting plate 218. In particular,the locking lever 370 is spring biased in the general direction of arrow372 of FIG. 2 into a locked position as shown in FIG. 2. The lockinglever 370 has a locking notch 396 defined therein (see FIG. 25). Whenthe locking lever 370 is positioned in its locked position, the lockingflange 244 is captured or otherwise retained in the locking notch 396 soas to prevent the base assembly 18 from inadvertently being slid orotherwise moved in a manner that would allow the mounting tabs 220 to beinadvertently removed from the mounting slots 224. Conversely, when thelocking lever 370 is moved by a user or the like in the generaldirection of arrow 398 of FIG. 2, the locking lever 370 assumes anunlocked position thereby allowing the locking flange 244 to be spacedapart or otherwise removed from the locking notch 396.

Moreover, the mounting plate 218 further has a cable access opening 236defined therein. Numerous electrical cables associated with the retailterminal 10 (e.g. the source power cable 54 or the LAN cable 96) may beadvanced through an opening 562 defined in the tabletop 214, andthereafter the cable access opening 236. Once received through the cableaccess opening 236 defined in the mounting plate 218, the electricalcables may be advanced through one of the cable access openings 64associated with the base assembly 18 and thereafter coupled to one ofthe electrical connectors 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 412, 414 (seeFIG. 4) associated with the core module assembly 12. For example, theLAN cable 96 includes a data connector 578 (see FIG. 2). The LAN cable96 may be advanced through the opening 562 defined in the tabletop 214,the cable access opening 236 defined in the mounting plate 218, and oneof the cable access openings 64 defined in the base assembly 18. Oncereceived through the cable access opening 64, the data connector 578 isconnected to the LAN connector 24 thereby electrically coupling the coremodule assembly 12 to the LAN 94. Moreover, the source power cable 54includes a power connector 580 (see FIG. 2). The source power cable 54may be advanced through the opening 562 defined in the tabletop 214, thecable access opening 236 defined in the mounting plate 218, and one ofthe cable access openings 64 defined in the base assembly 18. Oncereceived through the cable access opening 64, the power connector 580 isconnected to a power input connector 568 of the power supply 50 (seeFIG. 3) thereby electrically coupling the power supply 50 to the 110 VACpower source 512. Thereafter, the intermediate power cable 52 isconnected to both the power connector 26 of the core module assembly 12and a power output connector 572 of the power supply 50 (see FIG. 3)thereby electrically coupling the core module assembly 12 to the powersupply 50.

It should be appreciated that such a configuration enhances the cablemanagement associated with the retail terminal 10 when the terminal 10is secured to the tabletop 214. In particular, the stationary base 58,the shroud 62, the mounting brackets 116, and the core module assembly12 collectively define a protective housing of the retail terminal 10when the core module assembly 12 is secured to the pivoting baseassembly 18. The segment of the data cable (e.g. the LAN cable 96) andthe segment of the power cable (e.g. the source power cable 54) whichextend out of the opening 562 in the tabletop 214 and the cable accessopening 236 of the mounting plate 218 are "completely contained" withinthe protective housing of the base assembly 18. What is meant herein bythe terms "completely contained" or "completely contains" is that noportion of the electrical cables (e.g. the LAN cable 96 or the sourcepower cable 54) extends outside or otherwise beyond the internal spacedefined by the components of the protective housing (i.e. the stationarybase 58, the shroud 62, the mounting brackets 116, and the core moduleassembly 12." Such a feature is desirable in that the electrical cablesare prevented from being pulled or otherwise contacted by a user (e.g. acustomer or a retail clerk) in a manner which may disconnect the cablesfrom their respective connectors when the retail terminal 10 is securedto the tabletop 214.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the retail terminal 10 may be secured tothe wall 216 with the mounting plate 218. The fastening apertures 226are provided to facilitate securing the mounting plate 218 to the wall216. In particular, the bolts 408 are advanced through each of thefastening apertures 226 and thereafter threadingly engaged in acorresponding fastening aperture 404 defined in the wall 216 so as tosecure the mounting plate 218 to the wall 216.

Thereafter, the mounting tabs 220 cooperate with the mounting slots 224in order to secure the base plate 222 of the base assembly 18 to themounting plate 218 and hence the wall 216. In particular, the baseassembly 18 (with the core module assembly 12 secured thereto) isadvanced in the general direction of arrow 240 of FIG. 27 toward themounting plate 218 (which is bolted to the wall 216) such that themounting tabs 220 are aligned with the mounting slots 224. Thereafter,the base assembly 18 is further advanced in the general direction ofarrow 240 such that the mounting tabs 220 are received into the mountingslots 224. Once the mounting tabs 220 are received into the mountingslots 224, the base assembly 18 is urged or otherwise slid in thegeneral direction of arrow 242 such that the mounting tabs 220 areadvanced into the locking portions 232 of the mounting slots 224 so asto lock the mounting tabs 220 therein.

As discussed above, the locking lever 370 prevents the base assembly 18from inadvertently moving relative to the mounting plate 218. Inparticular, the locking lever 370 is spring biased in the generaldirection of arrow 374 of FIG. 27 into its locked position. When thelocking lever 370 is positioned in its locked position, the lockingflange 244 is captured or otherwise retained in the locking notch 396defined in the locking lever 370 so as to prevent the base assembly 18from inadvertently being slid or otherwise moved in a manner that wouldallow the mounting tabs 220 to be inadvertently removed from themounting slots 224. Conversely, when the locking lever 370 is moved by auser or the like in the general direction of arrow 400 of FIG. 27, thelocking lever 370 assumes its unlocked position thereby allowing thelocking flange 244 to be spaced apart or otherwise removed from thelocking notch 396.

Moreover, numerous electrical cables associated with the retail terminal10 (e.g. the source power cable 54 or the LAN cable 96) may be advancedthrough an opening 564 defined in the wall 216, and thereafter the cableaccess opening 236. Once received through the cable access opening 236defined in the mounting plate 218, the electrical cables may be advancedthrough one of the cable access openings 64 associated with the baseassembly 18 and thereafter coupled to one of the electrical connectors24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 412, 414 (see FIG. 4) associated withthe core module assembly 12. For example, the LAN cable 96 may beadvanced through the opening 564 defined in the wall 216, the cableaccess opening 236 defined in the mounting plate 218, and one of thecable access openings 64 defined in the base assembly 18. Once receivedthrough the cable access opening 64, the data connector 578 of the LANcable 96 is connected to the LAN connector 24 thereby electricallycoupling the core module assembly 12 to the LAN 94. The source powercable 54 may also be advanced through the opening 564 defined in thewall 216, the cable access opening 236 defined in the mounting plate218, and one of the cable access openings 64 defined in the baseassembly 18. Once received through the cable access opening 64, thepower connector 580 of the source power cable 54 is connected to thepower input connector 568 of the power supply 50 (see FIG. 3) therebyelectrically coupling the power supply 50 to the 110 VAC power source512. Thereafter, the intermediate power cable 52 is connected to boththe power connector 26 of the core module assembly 12 and the poweroutput connector 572 of the power supply 50 (see FIG. 3) therebyelectrically coupling the core module assembly 12 to the power supply50.

It should be appreciated that such a configuration enhances the cablemanagement associated with the retail terminal 10 when the terminal 10is secured to the wall 216. In particular, as discussed above, thestationary base 58, the shroud 62, the mounting brackets 116, and thecore module assembly 12 collectively define the protective housing ofthe retail terminal 10 when the core module assembly 12 is secured tothe pivoting base assembly 18. The segment of the data cable (e.g. theLAN cable 96) and the segment of the power cable (e.g. the source powercable 54) which extend out of the opening 564 in the wall 216 and thecable access opening 236 of the mounting plate 218 are completelycontained within the protective housing of the base assembly 18. Such afeature is desirable in that the electrical cables are prevented frombeing pulled or otherwise contacted by a user (e.g. a customer or aretail clerk) in a manner which may disconnect the cables from theirrespective connectors when the retail terminal 10 is secured to the wall216.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the core module assembly 12 may be securedto a single-orientation or fixed-angle base assembly 246 in lieu of thepivoting base assembly 18. What is meant herein by the terms"single-orientation base assembly" or "fixed-angle base assembly" is abase assembly that is configured such that the core module assembly 12is maintained at a fixed location or angle when secured thereto. Inparticular, unlike the pivoting base assembly 18, the fixed-angle baseassembly 246 does not include a tilt mechanism for facilitating pivotalmovement of the core module assembly 12. Hence, the core module assembly12 is held stationary during operation thereof when secured to thefixed-angle base assembly 246. Such a configuration is particularlyuseful when the retail terminal 10 is operating as an unassisted retailterminal. In particular, by maintaining the core module assembly 12 in afixed position, the number of occasions in which the core moduleassembly 12 is handled or otherwise contacted by the user (i.e. acustomer in the case of an unassisted retail terminal) is reducedthereby potentially increasing the useful life of the retail terminal10.

The fixed-angle base assembly 246 includes a housing 272 having a pairof side panels 264, 266, a hinge member 268, and a power supply 270. Aswith the power supply 50 of the pivoting base assembly 18, the powersupply 270 is electrically coupled to the power connector 26 of the maincontroller board 22 via an intermediate power cable 556 (see FIG. 6). Asource power cable 558 (see FIG. 6) couples the power supply 270 to apower source such as the standard 110 VAC outlet 512 so as to provideelectrical power to the retail terminal 10.

The power supply 270 is housed in the housing 272 of the fixed-anglebase assembly 246. In particular, the power supply 270 is secured to abase mounting structure or plate 274 (see FIG. 35) of the fixed-anglebase assembly 246. It should be appreciated that such a configurationenhances the cable management associated with the retail terminal 10. Inparticular, the housing 272 has a number of cable access openings 276(see FIG. 35) defined therein. With a first end of the source powercable 558 coupled to the standard 110 VAC outlet 512, a second end ofthe source power cable 558 may be advanced through any one of the accessopenings 276 and thereafter connected to the power supply 270. Moreover,such a configuration allows the intermediate power cable 556 to beadvanced from the power supply 270 to the power connector 26 (see FIGS.4 and 6) while being covered by the core module assembly 12 (when thecore module assembly 12 is secured to the housing 272) therebypreventing a portion of the intermediate power cable 556 from danglingor otherwise hanging from the retail terminal 10. It should also beappreciated that such a configuration of the fixed-angle base assembly246 also allows other cables associated with the retail terminal 10,such as a LAN cable or speaker cable, to be advanced through the accessopenings 276 and thereafter connected to a corresponding electricalconnector 24, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 412, or 414 without dangling orotherwise hanging from the retail terminal 10.

It should be further appreciated that use of the power supply 270 alsofacilitates quick and easy removal of the core module assembly 12 fromthe pivoting base assembly 18 and subsequent placement of the coremodule assembly 12 on the fixed-angle base assembly 246, and vice versa.In particular, by providing a separate power supply (i.e. the powersupplies 50, 270) in each of the base assemblies (i.e. the pivoting baseassembly 18 and the fixed-angle base assembly 246), the core moduleassembly 12 can be moved between the base assemblies 18, 246 without theneed to also move the power supply between the base assemblies 18, 246thereby reducing the amount of time and effort required to move the coremodule assembly 12 between the base assemblies 18, 246. For example, thecore module assembly 12 may first be secured to the pivoting baseassembly 18 in order to perform an assisted retail function such as apoint-of-sale function. During such a time, power is supplied to thecore module assembly 12 by the power supply 50 which is coupled to thepower connector 26 of the main controller board 22 via the intermediatepower cable 52. Thereafter, the intermediate power cable 52 may bedisconnected from power connector 26 thereby allowing the core moduleassembly 12 to be detached from the pivoting base assembly 18 andattached to the fixed-angle base assembly 246. Once mechanicallyattached to the fixed angle base assembly 246 in the manner describedbelow, power is supplied to the core module assembly 12 by the powersupply 270 which is coupled to the power connector 26 of the maincontroller board 22 via the intermediate power cable 556. Onceelectrically coupled to the power supply 270, the core module assembly12 may be used to perform an unassisted retail function such as aproduct demonstration retail function.

The hinge member 268 is provided to secure the core module 12 to thehousing 272 of the fixed-angle base assembly 246. In particular, thehinge member 268 has a pair of retaining flanges 278 defined thereinwhich cooperates with a pair of retaining grooves 280 (see FIG. 29)defined in a top plate 282 of the housing 272 in order to allow thehinge member 268 to move in either the general direction of arrow 284 orarrow 286 of FIG.28.

The hinge member 268 also has a pair of apertures 288 defined therein.The apertures 288 are provided to secure the core module assembly 12 tothe hinge member 268. In particular, the rear cover 46 of the coremodule assembly 12 has a pair of apertures 290 defined therein (see FIG.5) which align with a pair of apertures 292 defined in the fasteningsurface 454 of the thermally conductive housing 430 (see FIG. 4) whenthe rear cover 46 is attached thereto. It should be appreciated that apair of the bolts 464 are positioned in the apertures 290, 292 in orderto secure the rear cover 46 to the rear enclosure 44. The same bolts4664 are used to secure the core module assembly 12 to the hinge member268. In particular, the fasteners are advanced through the apertures 288from a backside of the hinge member 268, and thereafter threadinglyengaged with the apertures 290, 292 defined in the rear cover 46 and thethermally conductive housing 430, respectively, in order to (1) securethe core module assembly 12 to the hinge member 268 and hence the baseassembly 246, and (2) secure the top of the rear cover 46 to the housing430. It should be appreciated that when the rear enclosure 44 is securedto the hinge member 268 in such a manner, the core module assembly 12may pivot relative the housing 272 of the fixed-angle base assembly 246in the general direction of either arrow 284 or arrow 286 of FIG. 28.Such pivoting of the core module assembly 12 facilitates access to anumber of components housed within the housing 272 such as the powersupply 270 or the scanner device 80.

The side panels 264, 266 each have a mounting tab 296 defined therein.The mounting tabs 296 and the hinge member 268 cooperate so as to definea mounting structure of the fixed-angle base assembly 246. Moreover, themounting tabs 296 are used to secure the bottom portion of the coremodule assembly 12 to the housing 272 of the fixed-angle base assembly246. In particular, the core module assembly 12 is pivoted in thegeneral direction of arrow 286 of FIG. 28 and thereby positionedrelative to the housing 272 such that the lip portion 252 of thesidewall 438 (see FIG. 4) rests on the mounting tabs 296. Thereafter, afastener such as a bolt or screw (not shown) is advanced through anaperture 298 defined in the side panel 266 and thereafter threadinglyengaged with a threaded aperture 300 defined in a flange 302 included inthe hinge member 268 (see FIG. 29). It should be appreciated that thehinge member 268 is prevented from pivoting relative the housing 272when the fastener is positioned in the apertures 298 and 300 therebylocking or otherwise securing the core module assembly 12 to the housing272 and hence the fixed-angle base assembly 246.

As shown in FIGS. 30-33, the retail terminal 10 may be equipped in anumber of different configurations in order to meet the requirements forperforming a given retail function. For example, the retail terminal 10may be configured with the scanner device 80 (see FIGS. 30 and 32). Thescanner device 80 is particularly useful for entering productinformation when the retail terminal 10 is being used as a point-of-sale(POS) terminal. In particular, if a customer or clerk is using theretail terminal 10 to checkout items for purchase, the scanner device 80may be used to scan or otherwise capture a product identification codeincluded in a bar code associated with each of the items for purchase.Once the product identification code is obtained, the retail terminal 10may communicate with the retailer's network system (i.e. the LAN 94) viaeither a wireless connection (i.e. the LAN card 66) or a wiredconnection (i.e. LAN cable 96 coupled to the LAN connector 24) in orderto obtain the pricing information associated with the items forpurchase. Moreover, the scanner device 80 is also useful when the retailterminal 10 is being utilized as a product information terminal. Forexample, the retail terminal 10 may be placed in a shopping area of theretail store such that customers may scan the bar code associated withan item with the scanner device 80 so as to obtain product information,such as price and model features, in order to assist the customer in hisor her selection of an item.

Alternatively, the retail terminal 10 may be configured without use ofthe scanner device 80 (see FIGS. 31 and 33). Such a configuration isdesirable when the retail terminal 10 is being utilized in aconfiguration which does not require entry of product identificationcodes thereby reducing costs associated with the retail terminal 10. Forexample, if the retail terminal 10 is being utilized to display an audiovisual (A/V) product demonstration.

Moreover, the retail terminal 10 may be configured without use of thestereo speaker assembly 16 (see FIGS. 32 and 33). Such a configurationis desirable when the retail terminal 10 is being utilized in aconfiguration which does not require stereo playback. For example, ifthe retail terminal 10 is being utilized to display a video productdemonstration which does not include stereo sound.

Finally, the retail terminal 10 may be configured without use of eitherthe scanner device 80 or the stereo speaker assembly 16 (see FIG. 33).Such a configuration is desirable when the retail terminal 10 is beingutilized in a configuration which does not require productidentification code entry or stereo playback.

Referring now to FIGS. 34-35, the fixed-angle base assembly 246 may beused to secure the core module assembly 12 to either a substantiallyhorizontal surface such as the tabletop 214 (see FIGS. 34) or asubstantially vertical surface such as the wall 216 or a pole 304 (seeFIG. 36-37). In particular, the retail terminal 10 may be secured to thetabletop 214 with the mounting plate 218. In particular, the base plate274 of the base assembly 246 has a number of mounting slots 306 definedtherein. One of the bolts 408 is advanced through each of the fasteningapertures 226 defined in the mounting plate 218 and thereafterthreadingly engaged in a corresponding fastening aperture 402 defined inthe tabletop 214 so as to secure the mounting plate 218 to the tabletop214.

Thereafter, the mounting tabs 220 cooperate with the mounting slots 306in order to secure the base plate 274 of the base assembly 246 to themounting plate 218. In particular, the base assembly 246 (with the coremodule assembly 12 secured thereto) is advanced in the general directionof arrow 308 of FIG. 35 toward the mounting plate 218 (which is boltedto the tabletop 214) such that the mounting tabs 220 are aligned withthe mounting slots 306. Thereafter, the base assembly 246 is furtheradvanced in the general direction of arrow 308 such that the mountingtabs 220 are received into the mounting slots 306. Once the mountingtabs 220 are received into the mounting slots 306, the base assembly 246is urged or otherwise slid in the general direction of arrow 310 of FIG.35 such that the mounting tabs 220 are advanced into a locking portion312 of the mounting slots 224 so as to lock the mounting tabs 220therein.

As discussed above, the mounting plate 218 further has a locking flange244 defined therein. As shown in FIG. 35, a plate locking aperture 234is defined in the locking flange 244. A fastener such as a bolt or screw254 is advanced through the plate locking aperture 234 and thereafterinto a corresponding base locking aperture 314 defined in a rearmounting structure or plate 316 of the housing 272 so as to prevent thebase assembly 246 from inadvertently being slid or otherwise moved in amanner that would allow the mounting tabs 220 to be inadvertentlyremoved from the mounting slots 306.

Moreover, numerous electrical cables associated with the retail terminal10 (e.g. the source power cable 558 or the LAN cable 96) may be advancedthrough the opening 562 defined in the tabletop 214, and thereafter thecable access opening 236 of the mounting plate 218. Once receivedthrough the cable access opening 236 defined in the mounting plate 218,the electrical cables may be advanced through one of the cable accessopenings 276 associated with the base assembly 246 and thereaftercoupled to one of the electrical connectors 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36,38, 412, 414 (see FIG. 4) associated with the core module assembly 12.For example, the LAN cable 96 may be advanced through the opening 562defined in the tabletop 214, the cable access opening 236 defined in themounting plate 218, and one of the cable access openings 276 defined inthe base assembly 246. Once received through the cable access opening276, the data connector 578 of the LAN cable 96 is connected to the LANconnector 24 thereby electrically coupling the core module assembly 12to the LAN 94. The source power cable 558 includes a power connector582, as shown in FIG. 35. The source power cable 558 may be advancedthrough the opening 562 defined in the tabletop 214, the cable accessopening 236 defined in the mounting plate 218, and one of the cableaccess openings 276 defined in the base assembly 246. Once receivedthrough the cable access opening 276, the power connector 582 of thesource power cable 558 is connected to a power input connector 574 ofthe power supply 270 (see FIGS. 28 and 29) thereby electrically couplingthe power supply 270 to the 110 VAC power source 512. Thereafter, theintermediate power cable 556 is connected to both the power connector 26of the core module assembly 12 and a power output connector 576 of thepower supply 270 (see FIGS. 28 and 29) thereby electrically coupling thecore module assembly 12 to the power supply 270.

It should be appreciated that such a configuration enhances the cablemanagement associated with the retail terminal 10 when the terminal 10is secured to the tabletop 246. In particular, the housing 272 of thefixed-angle base assembly 246 and the core module assembly 12collectively define a protective housing of the retail terminal 10 whenthe core module assembly 12 is secured to the fixed-angle base assembly246. The segment of the data cable (e.g. the LAN cable 96) and thesegment of the power cable (e.g. the source power cable 558) whichextend out of the opening 562 in the tabletop 214 and the cable accessopening 236 of the mounting plate 218 are completely contained withinthe protective housing of the base assembly 246. Such a feature isdesirable in that the electrical cables are prevented from being pulledor otherwise contacted by a user (e.g. a customer or a retail clerk) ina manner which may disconnect the cables from their respectiveconnectors when the retail terminal 10 is secured to the tabletop 214.

As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the retail terminal 10 may be secured tothe pole 304 with a mounting plate 238. The mounting plate 238 issomewhat similar to the mounting plate 218. Thus, the same referencenumerals are used in FIGS. 36 and 37 to designate common componentswhich were previously discussed in regard to FIGS. 1-35. The mountingplate 238 has a pair of outwardly extending U-shaped structural members318 secured thereto. The structural members 318 cooperate to define acentral cavity 320, as shown in FIG. 37. Moreover, the structuralmembers 318 have a number of elongated slots 322 defined therein. Theelongated slots 322 are provided to secure the mounting plate 238 to thepole 304. In particular, a number of metal bands such as strap clamps406 may be advanced around the pole 304 and thereafter through theelongated slots 322. Once advanced through the elongated slots 322, theopposite ends of the strap clamp 406 are secured together therebysecuring the mounting plate 238 to the pole 304. One type of strap clampwhich may be used is a commonly known stainless-steel hose clamp whichis of a sufficient length to be advanced around the pole 304 in themanner described above.

Once the mounting plate 238 is secured to the pole 304, the housing 272of the base assembly 246 may be secured thereto. In particular, the rearplate 316 of the housing 272 has number of mounting slots 326 definedtherein. The mounting tabs 220 of the mounting plate 238 cooperate withthe mounting slots 326 in order to secure the rear plate 316 of the baseassembly 246 to the mounting plate 238 and hence the pole 304. Inparticular, the base assembly 246 (with the core module assembly 12secured thereto) is advanced in the general direction of arrow 328 ofFIG. 37 toward the mounting plate 238 (which is secured to the pole 304)such that the mounting tabs 220 are aligned with the mounting slots 326.Thereafter, the base assembly 246 is further advanced in the generaldirection of arrow 328 such that the mounting tabs 220 are received intothe mounting slots 326. Once the mounting tabs 220 are received into themounting slots 326, the base assembly 246 is urged or otherwise slid inthe general direction of arrow 330 of FIG. 37 such that the mountingtabs 220 are advanced into a locking portion 332 associated with each ofthe mounting slots 326 so as to lock the mounting tabs 220 therein.

The mounting plate 238 further has a locking flange 334 defined therein.A plate locking aperture 336 is defined in the locking flange 334. Afastener such as a bolt or screw 570 is advanced through the lockingaperture 336 and thereafter into a corresponding base locking aperture338 defined in the base plate 274 so as to prevent the base assembly 346from inadvertently being slid or otherwise moved in a manner that wouldallow the mounting tabs 220 to be inadvertently removed from themounting slots 326.

Moreover, the mounting plate 238 has a cable access opening 340 definedtherein. Numerous electrical cables associated with the retail terminal10 (e.g. the source power cable 558 or the LAN cable 96) may be advancedthrough an opening 566 defined in the pole 304, and thereafter the cableaccess opening 340 of the mounting plate 238. Once received through thecable access opening 340 defined in the mounting plate 238, theelectrical cables may be advanced through one of the cable accessopenings 276 associated with the base assembly 246 and thereaftercoupled to one of the electrical connectors 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36,38, 412, 414 (see FIG. 4) associated with the core module assembly 12.For example, the LAN cable 96 may be advanced through the opening 566defined in the pole 304, the cable access opening 340 defined in themounting plate 238, and one of the cable access openings 276 defined inthe base assembly 246. Once received through the cable access opening276, the data connector 578 of the LAN cable 96 is connected to the LANconnector 24 thereby electrically coupling the core module assembly 12to the LAN 94. The source power cable 558 may also be advanced throughthe opening 566 defined in the pole 304, the cable access opening 340defined in the mounting plate 238, and one of the cable access openings276 defined in the base assembly 246. Once received through the cableaccess opening 276, the power connector 582 of the source power cable558 is connected to the power input connector 574 of the power supply270 (see FIGS. 28 and 29) thereby electrically coupling the power supply270 to the 110 VAC power source 512. Thereafter, the intermediate powercable 556 is connected to both the power connector 26 of the core moduleassembly 12 and the power output connector 576 of the power supply 270(see FIGS. 28 and 29) thereby electrically coupling the core moduleassembly 12 to the power supply 270.

It should be appreciated that such a configuration enhances the cablemanagement associated with the retail terminal 10 when the terminal 10is secured to the pole 304. In particular, as discussed above, thehousing 272 of the fixed-angle base assembly 246 and the core moduleassembly 12 collectively define the protective housing of the retailterminal 10 when the core module assembly 12 is secured to thefixed-angle base assembly 246. The segment of the data cable (e.g. theLAN cable 96) and the segment of the power cable (e.g. the source powercable 558) which extend out of the opening 566 in the pole 304 and thecable access opening 340 of the mounting plate 238 are completelycontained within the protective housing of the base assembly 246. Such afeature is desirable in that the electrical cables are prevented frombeing pulled or otherwise contacted by a user (e.g. a customer or aretail clerk) in a manner which may disconnect the cables from theirrespective connectors when the retail terminal 10 is secured to the pole304.

It should be appreciated that the mounting plate 238 may also be used tosecure the core module assembly 12 to a flat vertical surface such asthe wall 216 (see FIG. 26). In particular, the mounting plate 238 has anumber of wall mounting slots 342 defined in the structural members 318.A fastener such as a bolt or screw (not shown) is advanced through eachof the wall mounting slots 342 and thereafter threadingly engaged in acorresponding fastening aperture 404 defined in the wall 216 (see FIG.27) in order to secure the mounting plate 238 to the wall 216. Once themounting plate 238 is secured to the wall 216, the core module assembly12 may be secured to the mounting plate 238 in the manner previouslydiscussed.

As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, an auxiliary plate 344 may be used tocouple the core module assembly 12 directly to the mounting plate 218and hence the wall 216. The auxiliary plate 344 is secured to the coremodule assembly 12 in a similar manner as the mounting brackets 116 ofthe pivoting base assembly 18. In particular, auxiliary plate 344 has apair of flanges 346, 348 defined therein. The flange 348 includes arelatively flat portion 350 and a hook portion 352. An elongated slot354 is defined in each of the flanges 346, whereas an aperture 356 isdefined in the flat portion 350 of each of the flanges 348. In order tosecure the core module assembly 12 to the auxiliary plate 344, the coremodule assembly 12 is positioned relative to the auxiliary plate 344such that the lip portion 252 of the sidewall 438 (see FIG. 4) rests onthe hook portions 352 of the flanges 348 defined in the auxiliary plate344. Thereafter, a first pair of fasteners such as bolts (not shown) areadvanced through the elongated slots 354 and thereafter threadinglyengaged with the threaded apertures 126 defined in the rear enclosure 44of the core module assembly 12 (see FIG. 4). Moreover, a second pair offasteners such as bolts (not shown) are then advanced through theapertures 356 and thereafter threadingly engaged with the apertures 248,250 defined in the rear cover 46 and the fastening surface 450 (seeFIGS. 4 and 5), respectively, so as to secure the core module assembly12 to the auxiliary plate 344.

The mounting plate 218 is secured to the wall 216 in the mannerpreviously discussed in regard to FIGS. 26 and 27. In particular, one ofthe bolts 408 is advanced through each of the fastening apertures 226defined in the mounting plate 218 and thereafter threadingly engaged ina corresponding fastening aperture 404 defined in the wall 216 so as tosecure the mounting plate 218 to the wall 216.

Thereafter, the mounting tabs 220 defined in the mounting plate 218cooperate with a corresponding number of mounting slots 358 defined in amounting structure 388 of the auxiliary plate 344 in order to secure theauxiliary plate 344 to the mounting plate 218 and hence the wall 216. Inparticular, the auxiliary plate 344 (with the core module assembly 12secured thereto) is advanced in the general direction of arrow 360 ofFIG. 39 toward the mounting plate 218 (which is bolted to the wall 216)such that the mounting tabs 220 of the auxiliary plate 344 are alignedwith the mounting slots 358. Thereafter, the auxiliary plate 344 isfurther advanced in the general direction of arrow 360 such that themounting tabs 220 are received into the mounting slots 358. Once themounting tabs 220 are received into the mounting slots 358, theauxiliary plate 344 is urged or otherwise slid in the general directionof arrow 362 such that the mounting tabs 220 are advanced into a lockingportion 364 of each of the mounting slots 358 so as to lock the mountingtabs 220 therein.

Thereafter, a fastener such as a bolt or screw (not shown) is advancedthrough the plate locking aperture 234 defined in the locking flange 244of the mounting plate 218 and thereafter into a corresponding aperture366 defined in the auxiliary plate 344 so as to prevent the auxiliaryplate 344 from inadvertently being slid or otherwise moved in a mannerthat would allow the mounting tabs 220 to be inadvertently removed fromthe mounting slots 358.

Moreover, numerous cables associated with the retail terminal 10 may beadvanced through an opening (not shown) defined in the wall 216, andthereafter advanced through the cable access opening 236 defined in themounting plate 218. Once received through the cable access opening 236,the cables may then be advanced through one of a number of cable accessopenings 368 defined in the auxiliary plate 344, and thereafter coupledto one of the electrical connectors 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 412,414 (see FIG. 4) associated with the core module assembly 12. It shouldbe appreciated that such a configuration enhances the cable managementassociated with the retail terminal 10 when the terminal 10 is securedto the wall 216. For example, when mounted to the wall 216 using theauxiliary plate 344, an external power supply, such as a "brick-type"power supply, must be utilized to power the core module assembly 12.Hence, a power cable (not shown) which couples the external power supplyto the power connector 26 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) may be advanced in themanner previously discussed.

Operation

In operation, the retail terminal 10 may be utilized to perform a numberof different types of retail functions. For example, the retail terminal10 may first be operated as an unassisted retail terminal which isperforming a product demonstration retail function. In particular, thefixed-angle base assembly 246 may be secured to a vertical mountingsurface such as the wall 216 or the pole 304 in the manner previouslydescribed. The core module assembly 12 may then be mechanically securedto the fixed-angle base assembly 246. Power is supplied to the coremodule assembly 12 from the power supply 270 which is electricallycoupled to the power connector 26 of the core module assembly 12 via theintermediate power cable 52. Once mechanically coupled to thefixed-angle base assembly 246 and thereafter electrically coupled to thepower supply 270, the core module assembly 12 may perform a productdemonstration retail function. Such a function may include displayingvideo images, and a corresponding audio message, on the display monitor20 and the stereo speaker assembly 16, respectively. Such video andaudio messages are generally associated with the various products whichare sold by the retailer. For example, the such a product demonstrationretail function may include playing a product commercial on the displaymonitor 20 and the stereo speaker assembly 16.

Moreover, such a product demonstration function may also includeallowing a customer to enter a request or other type of query by eithertouching a particular area of the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor 20 or touching a key associated with the keyboard 78 (ifthe given retail terminal is equipped with a keyboard). Thereafter, theretail terminal 10 may display information associated with thecustomer's request with the display monitor 20 and/or the stereo speakerassembly 16.

During a period of peak demand, the retail terminal 10 may be convertedto cease performance of the product information retail function in orderto perform a point-of-sale retail function. In particular, thefixed-angle base assembly 246 (with the core module assembly 12 securedthereto) may be removed from the vertical mounting surface (e.g. thewall 216 or the pole 304) and thereafter secured to a horizontalmounting surface such as the tabletop 214 in the manner previouslydiscussed. Once secured to the tabletop 214, the retail terminal 10 maybe used to perform an unassisted point-of-sale retail function. Inparticular, the retail terminal 10 may be operated as a self-servicecheckout terminal. In operation of a self-service checkout terminal, thecustomer himself or herself first scans items for purchase into theterminal 10 with the scanner device 80. The core module assembly 12communicates with the LAN 94 (either via the LAN card 66 or the LANcable 96) in order to obtain pricing information associated with each ofthe scanned items. Thereafter, the customer tenders payment for his orher items by either swiping a debit or credit card through the cardreader 14 or placing cash into a cash acceptor (if the retail terminal10 is equipped therewith).

It should be appreciated that the above discussion is intended to beexemplary in nature, with it being understood that the retail terminal10 may be operated to perform a number of retail functions other than aproduct demonstration retail function when the core module assembly 12and the fixed-angle base assembly 246 are secured to a vertical mountingsurface (e.g. the wall 216 or the pole 304). For example, the retailterminal 10 may perform a point-of-sale retail function or a personneltraining retail function when the core module assembly 12 and thefixed-angle base assembly 246 are secured to a vertical mountingsurface.

Moreover, it should further be appreciated that the pivoting baseassembly 18 (with the core module assembly 12 secured thereto) may alsobe moved between a vertical mounting surface (e.g. the wall 216 or thepole 304) and a horizontal mounting surface (e.g. the tabletop 214) inthe manner discussed above in regard to the fixed-angle base assembly246. Moreover, the retail terminal 10 may be used to perform variousassisted and unassisted retail functions when the core module assembly12 is attached to the pivoting base assembly 18 while the pivoting baseassembly 18 is secured to either a vertical mounting surface or ahorizontal mounting surface. For example, the retail terminal 10 mayperform an assisted point-of-sale retail function when the core moduleassembly 12 is secured to the pivoting base assembly 18 which is in turnsecured to a horizontal mounting surface (e.g. the tabletop 214). Insuch a configuration, retail peripherals such as a card reader (e.g. thecard reader 14), a scanner device (e.g. an external, hand-held scannerdevice), a cash drawer (e.g. the cash drawer 508), and a customerdisplay (e.g. the customer display monitor 510) may be electricallycoupled to the core module assembly 12 in order to facilitate operationof the retail terminal 10 as an assisted point-of-sale terminal.

In lieu of moving the base assemblies 18, 246 between a verticalmounting surface and a horizontal mounting surface, it should beappreciated that only the core module assembly 12 need be movedtherebetween. For example, the fixed-angle base assembly 246 may besecured to a vertical mounting surface (e.g. the wall 216 or the pole304), while the pivoting base assembly 18 is secured to a horizontalmounting surface (e.g. the tabletop 214). The core module assembly maybe moved between the base assemblies 18, 246 in order to perform variousretail functions. In particular, the core module assembly 12 may firstbe mechanically attached to the fixed-angle base assembly 246 while thefixed-angle base assembly 246 is secured to a vertical mounting surface.Once mechanically attached to the fixed-angle base assembly 246, thecore module assembly 12 is then electrically coupled to the power supply270 via the intermediate power cable 556. The retail terminal 10 maythen be operated to perform a retail function such a productdemonstration retail function.

When it is desirable to change the retail function being performed bythe retail terminal 10, the core module assembly 12 may first beelectrically decoupled from the power supply 270 by decoupling theintermediate power cable 556 from the power connector 26. The coremodule assembly 12 is then mechanically detached from the fixed anglebase assembly 246 and thereafter mechanically attached to the pivotingbase assembly 18. Once mechanically attached to the pivoting baseassembly 18, the core module assembly 12 is electrically coupled to thepower supply 50 via the intermediate power cable 52. The retail terminal10 may then be operated to perform a retail function such an assistedpoint-of-sale retail function.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and descriptionis to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, itbeing understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a retail terminal having acore module assembly, a single-orientation base assembly, and amultiple-orientation base assembly, comprising the steps of:attachingthe core module assembly to the single-orientation base assembly;operating the core module assembly so as to perform unassisted retailfunctions while the core module assembly is secured to thesingle-orientation base assembly; detaching the core module assemblyfrom the single-orientation base assembly after the unassisted retailfunction operating step; attaching the core module assembly to themultiple-orientation base assembly after the detaching step; andoperating the core module assembly so as to perform assistedpoint-of-sale retail functions while the core module assembly is securedto the multiple-orientation base assembly, wherein the core moduleassembly includes (i) a housing, (ii) a main controller board positionedwithin the housing, (iii) a hard drive device positioned within thehousing and electrically coupled to the main controller board, (iv) adata input device, electrically coupled to the main controller board,which is configured to allow a user to input data signals to the maincontroller board, (v) a plurality of electrical connectors, supported bythe housing, which are configured to electrically couple the maincontroller board to a number of external devices, and wherein theplurality of electrical connectors includes (i) a cash drawer connectorconfigured to electrically couple a cash drawer to the main controllerboard, (ii) a LAN connector configured to electrically couple a LAN tothe main controller board, (iii) a scanner connector configured toelectrically couple a scanner to the main controller board, (iv) a powerconnector configured to electrically couple a power supply to the maincontroller board, (v) an external speaker connector configured toelectrically couple an external speaker to the main controller board,and (vi) a printer connector configured to electrically couple a printerto the main controller board.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theassisted point-of-sale retail functions operating step includes thesteps of:operating the core module assembly for a first time periodwhile the core module assembly is located at a first orientationrelative to the multiple-orientation base assembly, moving the coremodule assembly from the first orientation to a second orientationrelative to the multiple-orientation base assembly after the first timeperiod operating step, and operating the core module assembly for asecond time period while the core module assembly is located at thesecond orientation relative to the multiple-orientation base assembly.3. The method of claim 1, wherein:the core module assembly includes afirst display screen, the multiple-orientation base assembly includes asecond display screen, and the assisted point-of-sale retail functionsoperating step includes the step of displaying retail information onboth the first display screen and the second display screen.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein:a first power cable is supported by thesingle-orientation base assembly, a second power cable is supported bythe multiple-orientation base assembly, the unassisted retail functionsoperating step includes step of operating the core module assembly whilethe first power cable is coupled to the power connector, and theassisted point-of-sale retail functions operating step includes step ofoperating the core module assembly while the second power cable iscoupled to the power connector.
 5. A retail terminal, comprising:asingle-orientation base assembly having a first core module mountingstructure; a multiple-orientation base assembly having a second coremodule mounting structure; and a core module assembly which is operableto (i) perform unassisted retail functions during a first time periodwhile said core module assembly is secured to said first core modulemounting structure, and (ii) perform assisted point-of-sale retailfunctions during a second time period while said core module assembly issecured to said second core module mounting structure, wherein said coremodule assembly includes (i) a housing, (ii) a main controller boardpositioned within said housing, (iii) a hard drive device positionedwith said housing and electrically coupled to said main controllerboard, (iv) a data input device, electrically coupled to said maincontroller board, which is configured to allow a user to input datasignals to said main controller board, (v) a plurality of electricalconnectors, supported by said housing, which are configured toelectrically couple said main controller board to a number of externaldevices, and wherein said plurality of electrical connectors include (i)a cash drawer connector configured to electrically couple a cash drawerto said main controller board, (ii) a LAN connector configured toelectrically couple a LAN to said main controller board, (iii) a scannerconnector configured to electrically couple a scanner to said maincontroller board, (iv) a power connector configured to electricallycouple a power supply to said main controller board, (v) an externalspeaker connector configured to electrically couple an external speakerto said main controller board, and (vi) a printer connector configuredto electrically couple a printer to said main controller board.
 6. Theretail terminal of claim 5, wherein:said multiple-orientation baseassembly is positionable between a first orientation and a secondorientation, and said core module assembly is operable to performassisted point-of-sale retail functions when said multiple-orientationbase assembly is positioned in both said first orientation and saidsecond orientation.
 7. The retail terminal of claim 5, wherein:saidsingle-orientation base assembly supports a first power cable, saidmultiple-orientation base assembly supports a second power cable, saidfirst power cable is coupled to said power connector when said coremodule assembly is operated to perform unassisted retail functions, andsaid second power cable is coupled to said power connector when saidcore module assembly is operated to perform assisted point-of-saleretail functions.
 8. The retail terminal of claim 5, wherein:said coremodule assembly includes a first display screen, saidmultiple-orientation base assembly includes a second display screen, andretail information is displayed on both said first display screen andsaid second display screen when said core module assembly is operated toperform assisted point-of-sale retail functions.
 9. A method ofoperating a retail terminal having a core module assembly, asingle-orientation base assembly, and a multiple-orientation baseassembly, comprising the steps of:attaching the core module assembly tothe single-orientation base assembly; operating the core module assemblyso as to perform unassisted retail functions while the core moduleassembly is secured to the single-orientation base assembly; detachingthe core module assembly from the single-orientation base assembly afterthe unassisted retail function operating step; attaching the core moduleassembly to the multiple-orientation base assembly after the detachingstep; and operating the core module assembly so as to perform assistedpoint-of-sale retail functions while the core module assembly is securedto the multiple-orientation base assembly, wherein the core moduleassembly includes (i) a housing, (ii) a main controller board positionedwithin the housing, (iii) a data input device, electrically coupled tothe main controller board, which is configured to allow a user to inputdata signals to the main controller board, (iv) a plurality ofelectrical connectors, supported by the housing, which are configured toelectrically couple the main controller board to a number of externaldevices, and wherein the plurality of electrical connectors include (i)a LAN connector configured to electrically couple a LAN to the maincontroller board, (ii) a scanner connector configured to electricallycouple a scanner to the main controller board, and (iii) a powerconnector configured to electrically couple a power supply to the maincontroller board.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the assistedpoint-of-sale retail functions operating step includes the stepsof:operating the core module assembly for a first time period while thecore module assembly is located at a first orientation relative to themultiple-orientation base assembly, moving the core module assembly fromthe first orientation to a second orientation relative to themultiple-orientation base assembly after the first time period operatingstep, and operating the core module assembly for a second time periodwhile the core module assembly is located at the second orientationrelative to the multiple-orientation base assembly.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein:the core module assembly includes a first displayscreen, the multiple-orientation base assembly includes a second displayscreen, and the assisted point-of-sale retail functions operating stepincludes the step of displaying retail information on both the firstdisplay screen and the second display screen.
 12. The method of claim 9,wherein:a first power cable is supported by the single-orientation baseassembly, a second power cable is supported by the multiple-orientationbase assembly, the unassisted retail functions operating step includesstep of operating the core module assembly while the first power cableis coupled to the power connector, and the assisted point-of-sale retailfunctions operating step includes step of operating the core moduleassembly while the second power cable is coupled to the power connector.13. A retail terminal, comprising:a single-orientation base assemblyhaving a first core module mounting structure; a multiple-orientationbase assembly having a second core module mounting structure; and a coremodule assembly which is operable to (i) perform unassisted retailfunctions during a first time period while said core module assembly issecured to said first core module mounting structure, and (ii) performassisted point-of-sale retail functions during a second time periodwhile said core module assembly is secured to said second core modulemounting structure, wherein said core module assembly includes (i) ahousing, (ii) a main controller board positioned within said housing,(iii) a data input device, electrically coupled to said main controllerboard, which is configured to allow a user to input data signals to saidmain controller board, (iv) a plurality of electrical connectors,supported by said housing, which are configured to electrically couplesaid main controller board to a number of external devices, and whereinsaid plurality of electrical connectors include (i) a LAN connectorconfigured to electrically couple a LAN to said main controller board,(ii) a scanner connector configured to electrically couple a scanner tosaid main controller board, and (iii) a power connector configured toelectrically couple a power supply to said main controller board. 14.The retail terminal of claim 13, wherein:said multiple-orientation baseassembly is positionable between a first orientation and a secondorientation, and said core module assembly is operable to performassisted point-of-sale retail functions when said multiple-orientationbase assembly is positioned in both said first orientation and saidsecond orientation.
 15. The retail terminal of claim 13, wherein:saidsingle-orientation base assembly supports a first power cable, saidmultiple-orientation base assembly supports a second power cable, saidfirst power cable is coupled to said power connector when said coremodule assembly is operated to perform unassisted retail functions, andsaid second power cable is coupled to said power connector when saidcore module assembly is operated to perform assisted point-of-saleretail functions.
 16. The retail terminal of claim 13, wherein:said coremodule assembly includes a first display screen, saidmultiple-orientation base assembly includes a second display screen, andretail information is displayed on both said first display screen andsaid second display screen when said core module assembly is operated toperform assisted point-of-sale retail functions.